Ingestible Device Protective Coating for Fluid Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ingestible devices with electronic components face challenges due to interference from gel-like materials and pharmaceutical contents, which can damage or disrupt their operation, especially when exposed to fluids and acidic or basic environments during storage and ingestion.
Innovation Solution
A system and manufacturing process that includes a protective coating and flexible membrane to secure the device within a capsule, ensuring the device is protected from the capsule's dissolving environment and pharmaceutical contents, with a disintegrating layer that delays exposure to fluids and prevents interaction with the device's components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the device is placed within the capsule housing, then the device can be ingested with the pharmaceutical product, but the electronic components are exposed to harmful pharmaceutical contents and moisture that can damage or disrupt operation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple protective layers: an inner protective coating directly surrounding electronic components, an intermediate flexible membrane layer, and the outer capsule housing. This segmentation creates distinct barriers that collectively protect against harmful pharmaceutical contents and moisture while allowing the device to function within the ingestible capsule system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane and protective coating act as intermediary barriers between the electronic components and the harmful pharmaceutical environment. These intermediary layers prevent direct contact between moisture/pharmaceutical contents and sensitive electronics, while still allowing the device to be integrated within the capsule for ingestion.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the capsule dissolves in contact with surrounding fluids, then the pharmaceutical product is released for absorption, but the gel-like dissolving material interferes with device operation through low conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The protective coating and flexible membrane are applied to the device before capsule dissolution occurs. This preliminary protection ensures that when the capsule dissolves and gel-like material forms, the device components are already shielded, maintaining operational reliability throughout the pharmaceutical release process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane provides a thin film barrier that protects electronic components from the gel-like dissolving material. This flexible shell maintains device conductivity and operation reliability while allowing the capsule to dissolve and release pharmaceuticals as intended.
3Measurement precision
If the device is exposed to localized high concentration areas of dissolved capsule content, then the device can detect and respond to the dissolution event, but high concentrations interfere with proper device operation
Solution Approach 1:
The protective coating and flexible membrane provide beforehand cushioning protection to the electronic components. This pre-established barrier cushions the device against the harmful effects of localized high concentration areas, allowing the device to detect dissolution events through controlled means while protecting sensitive components from direct exposure to interfering high concentrations.
4Reliability
If the device remains inactive during capsule storage, then the device avoids damage from pharmaceutical contents during storage, but the device delays activation until after capsule disintegration
Solution Approach 1:
The protective coating and flexible membrane provide preliminary anti-action protection during storage, preventing pharmaceutical contents from damaging the device before ingestion. This pre-protection allows the device to remain inactive and protected during storage, then activate promptly after capsule disintegration without significant delay, as the protective layers are already in place to enable safe delayed activation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively protects the ingestible device from the capsule's environment, ensuring proper operation by delaying exposure to fluids and preventing damage from pharmaceutical contents, thus maintaining device functionality during ingestion and storage.
Implementation Method 1
electronic components that are surrounded by a protective layer, wherein the protective layer is configured to begin to disintegrate after the capsule has disintegrated and has exposed the content of the capsule to the surrounding fluids
Implementation Method 2
the protective layer is configured to begin to disintegrate after the capsule has disintegrated and has exposed the content of the capsule to the surrounding fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A pharmaceutical product including a housing that defines a cavity, wherein the cavity stores a pharmaceutical material, and wherein the housing comprises a material configured to dissolve based on contact with a fluid, an ingestible device to encode information in a current signature, wherein the ingestible device is positioned within the housing, and a protective material that encompasses the ingestible device. The ingestible device may be attached to a flexible component, wherein the flexible component is configured to releasably secure the ingestible device within the housing.